Obituary: O’Connor, Jay
Age 98
Jay was residing in the skilled nursing center of Touchmark in Spokane.
Jay was born on November 21st, 1916 in Spokane, Wa.
to parents John “Jack” and Iva O’Connor, the oldest of five children.
He grew up in Valleyford, WA., graduating from Lindberg High School.
At age 21 he married his beloved wife of 75 plus years, Olive Meenach who passed away two years ago.
Jay had many interests during his long life and he entered each new endeavor with great enthusiasm.
He had jobs at the Mica Brick Plant, was a truck driver and worked for Phillips 66 many years doing pump maintenance and finally became a district supervisor.
He also attended Spokane Community College and became the local TV repairman in Valleyford during the early days of TV.
But his great joy was his many hobbies.
These included archery, making, repairing and selling pottery, and fishing in S.E.
Alaska.
He loved everything antique and could often be found at auctions and garage sales.
While living in Valleyford, even though he had no sons, he felt the boys of the community should have a Boy Scout Troop and he provided many youngsters with lifetime memories of scouting activities by starting and leading a local troop.
He also loved western music, played the saxophone, organ and Dobro and liked his music loud.
He was active in the Valleyford Community church until moving to Spokane Valley and served in the US Army in WWII.
He will be missed by those lives he touched.
Jay was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers John and Al “Bud” O’Connor and two sisters, Phyllis Vanhoff and Rose Cloyd.
He is survived by two daughters and their husbands, Diane and Ken Klawunder of Gustavus, AK and Marilyn and Lee Jassman of Arizona City, AZ.
Jay has four grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren.
At Jay’s request no memorial or funeral services will be held.
Those wishing to remember Jay may do so by donating in his name to the Union Gospel Mission at 1224 E. Trent Ave., Spokane, WA.
99202.